Kanoute rescued a point for Mali

Kanoute's 80th minute goal gave Mali their first point of their Group One campaign but the result is a setback for the African Nations Cup semi-finalists, who lost their first group match to Liberia two weeks ago.

Mali fell behind to a 16th minute goal from Zambia's burly striker Harry Milanzi before Kanoute rescued the point.

Zambia also played the last five minute with 10 men after the dismissal of striker Dadley Fichite.

Saturday's World Cup qualifiers in Africa were dominated by some of the continent's lightweights, who recorded rare wins.

Botswana, the Cape Verde Islands and Rwanda won only their second World Cup qualifying games to register their first points of the campaign for a place in the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

Botswana's US-based striker Dipsy Selolwane scored early to give his country the lead against Malawi.

A goal from Nelson Gabolwelwe midway through the first-half made sure of the 2-0 home win in Gaberone in the Group Five game.

It was Selolwane's fourth goal of the qualifying campaign, making him the joint top goal scorer in the African preliminaries.

Cape Verde, who almost shocked favourites South Africa in their opening group two game a fortnight ago, beat Uganda with a goal from Portugal-based striker Cafu.

The 1-0 win in Praia came in only the sixth World Cup match for the island archipelago, who first entered the World Cup preliminaries for the 2002 finals in Japan and South Korea.

Rwanda continued their march up the world rankings with a 3-1 win over Gabon in Kigali, which include two goals for Belgium-based striker Said Abed Makasi.

Rwanda scored in the first five minutes but Gabon, coached by Brazil's 1970 World Cup player Jairzinho, were level soon after through Theodore Nzue Nguema.

Rwanda led 2-1 at half-time when Jimmy Mulisa added a second and Makasi made sure with a third goal in the 63rd minute.

Rwanda, who were surprise qualifiers for the African Nations Cup finals in Tunisia earlier this year, lost 2-0 to group four favourites Nigeria in their first match earlier this month.